I was diagnosed with Lyme disease after having a number of severe symptoms that put me in the hospital for a number of days last March. I’ve learned a lot about the disease since then and have come to realize that switching to the Geno Type diet actually started the whole process of discovery and healing.

Most Lyme Disease sufferers know of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction as a “herx,” or “getting worse before you get better,” or a “healing crisis.” The herx reaction is documented to take place in Syphilis, Lyme Disease, and a few other spirochetal illnesses, all capable of evading the immune system. The reaction is named after two scientists who discovered the phenomenon. Adolf Jarisch (1850-1902), was an Austrian dermatologist who published his description of the reaction in 1895. Karl Herxheimer (1861-1944) was a German dermatologist who published his description of the reaction in 1902.
The definition of a herx reaction is an increase in the symptoms of a spirochetal disease (such as Syphilis, Lyme Disease, or relapsing fever) occurring in some persons when treatment with spirocheticidal therapy is started. In the case of Lyme Disease the herx reaction is an increase in the symptoms caused by neurotoxin circulation and inflammation:

In other words if your immune system is starting to fight off the infection you could feel a whole lot worse for a while. I believe this is what happened to me when I started the GTD. I had been eating right for a B secretor, but my health had been going downhill for about 5 years. I didn’t know I had been infected with Lyme disease. I just knew I was really tired all the time and thought I was having a really difficult menopause. So when I started eating like an Explorer things really started to happen in my body. So many things got better almost immediately. My nails became stronger, my eyes brighter, my skin improved, and I lost a little weight. But other things got worse. I was becoming more fatigued and my gut problems got even worse. Eventually I ended up with strong heart palpitations and high and low blood pressure. After I was diagnosed with Lyme I thought the reason I got so sick was that the disease had “peaked”. But, in truth I was having a herx response because my body was healing!

Many Lyme patients have reactions, like I did, when they start taking medications. Many people feel as if they are going to die, I know I did. But my “herx” began before I started any medication. The change in diet was enough to get my body to start on the road to health. It was a very rocky road for the first few miles, but I seem to be getting better faster than most people with the disease.

Thank you again Doctor D’Adamo!

This entry was posted on December 29th, 2010 at 05:54:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.

2 comments

Connie, have you looked at Genoma Security breaks up biofilms. Just google lyme disease biofilms and you will learn about the application for this unique supplement. Dr. D'Adamo created it so you can buy it from DPN.

Thanks Andrea! Someone suggested it after my last blog so I started taking it about a month ago. Too early to tell yet, but I'm sure it will help. Connie

Very interesting about the healing crisis. I am just starting the GTD for Explorer this week. I have very dry skin this winter leading to extreme eczema one leg and one foot. Looking forward improved skin results!